UNDER THE arching glass and cast-iron roof of the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery, Bulgari celebrated its biggest and most expensive high jewellery collection yet with a spectacular performance and runway show.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Photograph: Agostino Osio
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Photograph: Agostino Osio
An ode to inspirational women, from 16th-century Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi to the late architect Zaha Hadid, the Magnifica high jewellery collection totals a staggering 350 gems and watches, 122 of which have never been seen before.
Highlights include the glittering Imperial Spinel necklace which boasts a centre spinel of rich pink and fuchsia red that weighs 131.21 carats — the fourth largest in the world — and the Mediterranean Queen necklace, an outstanding display of five oval cushion-cut Paraiba tourmalines, cabochon emeralds and diamonds.
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
Inspired by Milan’s prominent global role in theatre, the Magnifica show — filmed by Italian emerging director Tommaso Ottomano in collaboration with AMO/Ellen van Loon and Giulio Margheri — began with a mesmerising performance by the legendary Andrea Bocelli, who offered a unique interpretation of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
Lensed as a magnificent opera concert, models — including Lily Aldridge, Vittoria Ceretti, He Cong, Blesnya Minher and Solange Smith — then entered the arcade donning rich multi-hued jewels from the Magnifica high jewellery collection.
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
The Magnifica high jewellery Show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
Set to an original soundtrack curated by Italian musician Marco Guazzone, models then strode towards a dramatic 10-metre sun installation, illuminating the mosaic-tiled floors with vibrant light.
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
The Magnifica high jewellery show. Photograph: Agostino Osio
The show closed on the gallery steps marking the end of an extraordinary ode to the city of Milan, which Bulgari offered further support through a donation to the Milan Municipality.
To view the full Magnifica high jewellery show, watch the video below:
The Magnifica high jewellery show
by Joshua Hendren